Niceness in your genes

Science Daily reports of Michel Poulin who is the principle author of the study, "The Neurogenics of Niceness". In this study, Poulin identified two harmones, oxytocin and vasopressin, that are linked to how nice somone is. These hormones have been linked to how people treat one another and can actually make someone nicer.

Poulin conducted a study to see of the pressence of these hormone receptors prevoke our association with pro-social behavior such as giving to charity, or giving blood. The hormones work by binding to our cells from receptors of different forms and several genes are responsible for the control of the function of these receptors.

The study Poulin established had people take online surveys about their views on different topics such as civic duty, paying taxes, giving to charity, and if people are more good than bad. 711 of those surveyed supplied a DNA sample to show what type of oxytocin and vasopressin receptors they had. The study found that those who had a more threatening view of the world were less likely to help others unless they had the "nicer" version of these gene receptors. Poulin does not claim to have found the niceness gene, but he does believe he has found a contributor. He then adds, " What I find so interesting is the fact that it only makes a contribution in the presence of certain feelings people have about the world around them."